This recipe goes viral every time I post it—and once you try it, you’ll see why. These 5-ingredient apple oat bars are naturally sweetened with apples and raisins, packed with fibre-rich oats and heart-healthy walnuts, and finished with a warm touch of cinnamon. They’re simple, satisfying, and the kind of cosy snack you’ll want to keep on hand all season long.
Skip the expensive store-bought options—this easy healthy oat bar recipe is budget-friendly, made in one bowl, and comes together in minutes. Whether you need a nutritious snack on the go, a lunchbox filler, or just something wholesome to enjoy with a cup of tea, these bars are a perfect fit.
Soft, chewy, and gently spiced, they’re proof that healthy snacks don’t have to be complicated. Just blend, bake, and let them cool fully before slicing—then you’ve got the ultimate homemade oat snack bars ready whenever you need them.
Why Make These Bars Instead of Buying Them?
These healthy apple oat bars are everything a good snack should be—quick, easy, and made with wholesome ingredients you probably already have at home. Unlike store-bought bars that often contain added sugars, refined oils, and preservatives, these are naturally sweetened with apples and raisins, and packed with fibre from oats and walnuts. They take just minutes to prepare, bake beautifully, and store well for up to a week. Ideal for busy mornings, packed lunches, or cosy tea breaks, they’re the ultimate snack on the go. Make a batch in advance and you’ll always have something nourishing ready—honestly, they’re so simple you’ll wonder why you haven’t made them sooner.
Are These Bars Truly Gut-Friendly?
Experts highlight the importance of eating a wide variety of plant-based foods to promote a healthy gut microbiome. A growing body of research, including studies from ZOE and the American Gut Project, suggests that consuming around 30 different plant foods per week supports greater microbial diversity—linked to improved digestion, immunity, and even brain. More info on the topic here and also here.
These apple oat bars fit perfectly into this advice since they’re made with nutritious, whole-food ingredients like oats, apples, walnuts, raisins, and cinnamon—each one counting as a unique plant food. That means enjoying these bars helps you move toward that 30-plants-per-week benchmark. Plus, nuts like walnuts are especially beneficial; they’ve been shown to feed beneficial gut bacteria and promote a healthy microbial balance .
So while ZOE’s personal recommendations come with tools like their apps and nutritional coaching, the core takeaway is universal: increase plant diversity, eat minimally processed foods, and include gut-friendly snacks—like these 5‑ingredient apple oat bars—to make nourishing your gut both delicious and simple.
Tips
- Use a sweet apple variety: Softer, naturally sweet apples like Gala, Pink Lady, or Fuji work best in this easy healthy oat bar recipe. They break down easily in the food processor and help sweeten the bars without the need for added sugar.
- No food processor? No problem! Just grate the apples, finely chop the raisins and walnuts, and mix everything in a bowl. It might take a little longer, but your homemade snack bars will still come out beautifully.
- Use a square or loaf tin: A 20cm baking tin is perfect for these apple oat bars. It gives you 6–7 evenly sized bars at the ideal 2cm height.
- Line your tin with baking paper: This prevents sticking and makes lifting your bars out of the tin super easy—no broken bars here!
- Press the mixture down firmly: Use the back of a spoon or the bottom of a glass to really compress the mixture into the tin. This helps the bars stay intact after baking.
- Let them cool fully before slicing: These naturally sweetened bars will feel soft straight from the oven. Give them time to cool completely so they firm up—this step is key for clean, non-crumbly slices.
- Refrigerate before slicing (optional): If you want extra neat edges, pop the bars in the fridge for 10–15 minutes before cutting and wipe your knife clean between slices.
- Want more texture? Add a sprinkle of chopped walnuts or oats on top before baking for a crunchier bite and a rustic finish.
- Too tart? If your apples are a bit sharp, feel free to add 1–2 teaspoons of maple syrup or honey. These apple oat bars are naturally sweetened, but a little extra sweetness never hurts if needed.
Swaps
Oats: Rolled oats work best for this recipe. Use gluten-free oats if needed. Quick oats can also work but may make the bars softer and less chewy.
Walnuts: Swap with pecans, almonds, or sunflower seeds for a nut-free version.
Raisins: You can use chopped dates, dried cranberries, or sultanas—keep the same quantity.
Apples: Use a sweet variety like Pink Lady, Fuji, or Gala. Granny Smith will give a tangier flavour.
Cinnamon: Try pumpkin spice or mixed spice instead for a warmer autumnal twist, or leave it out if you prefer.
Storage
Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Perfect for grab-and-go snacks during the week.
Freezer: Freeze sliced bars in a container with baking paper between layers for up to 2 months. Defrost at room temperature or pop into the fridge overnight before serving.
More Healthy And Delicious Bars To Try
- 6 Ingredients Pear & Figs Bars
- Healthy Banana Bars
- 6 Ingredients Healthy Carrot Cake Bars
- 3-Ingredients Chocolate & Date Bars
Apple Oat Bars (Healthy, No Added Sugar, 5 Ingredients)
Ingredients
- 160 g oats
- 60 g walnuts
- 130 g raisins
- 2 apples, I used Gala
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a food processor and blitz.
- Add the mixture into a baking tin and squish well, you want to the oat to be 2 cm high.
- Bake at 180C for 20-25 mins
- Once ready, remove from the tin and let it cool down completely on a baking rack.
- Cut into slices.
Video
Notes
- These bars are naturally sweetened with apples and raisins—no added sugar needed, making them a wholesome snack option.
- I used rolled oats to give the bars a chewy texture, but quick oats work too if that’s all you have on hand.
- Make sure to press the mixture firmly into the tin before baking—this helps the bars hold their shape once sliced.
- Let them cool down completely before slicing—this prevents crumbling and helps the bars firm up.
- They’re perfect for meal prep and great to take on the go, whether it’s for work, school, or a snack between meals.